Volvo Car UK’s head of financial services Selwyn Cooper (pictured) hopes that Volvo will double its annual sales by 2020.

FN: What models have fleets been excited about on your stand this year?

Selwyn Cooper (SC): As well as our now complete 90 series, the new XC60 generated considerable interest from corporate customers. The current XC60 has been such an important car for fleets; in fact, it was our biggest selling car to businesses last year. The new car is another true premium competitor from Volvo. It will introduce to our top-selling SUV all of the advanced technology and premium design we’ve seen on the 90 series cars. The reception to date has been overwhelmingly positive, and I’m confident that it will be hugely successful in the corporate sales market.

FN: What are your hopes for 2017?

SC: By 2020, Volvo aims to almost double its annual sales to 800,000 globally, with 60,000 in the UK. Fleet sales will play a significant role in this growth. In 2017, our focus will be on delivering the orders for the new XC60, which will continue the momentum created by the S90, V90 and XC90 over the past couple of years.

FN: What’s the biggest challenge for fleets this year?

SC: Fleets have undoubtedly had to get used to the changes to VED rates earlier this year. I don’t think the effect will be huge, however, as VED is just one of several costs involved in running a vehicle. For fleets in particular, once the total cost of ownership has been worked out, the impact is relatively small.